Category: Knowledge comes from God

Scripture LessonKing Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon, a once powerful empire, that captured Jerusalem in 597 BC. During his reign, one night, he had a dream that troubled him. He knew the dream was important but didn’t know how to interpret it so he asked all his wise men.

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. (Daniel 2:1-4)

Question
What did the wise men ask the King before they could interpret the dream?

However, King Nebuchadnezzar knew that if he told them his dream they could interpret the dream however they wanted whether it was right or wrong, so instead he asked them to tell him what his dream was and then interpret it.

The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. (Daniel 2: 8-9)

However, the wise men could not provide such a thing and the King became furious.

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. (Daniel 2: 10-12)

QuestionWhy didn’t the Chaldeans or the other wise men just guess what the king’s dream was?

Let’s see what happens next.

Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Daniel 2: 20-23)

Questions-It’s subtle, but what did Daniel and his friends do to learn the King’s dream?-What was the first thing Daniel did after he was shown the King’s dream?-Why do you think he thanked God?-Why don’t you think he said, “Yes, I’m a genius! I figure it out!”?-Why is it important for us to thank God when he gives us knowledge?

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Daniel (2:27-28)

He then continued to tell the King his dream and the interpretation of it. As you can imagine, the King was quite impressed. (If the kids are interested in the dream see Daniel 2:31-45)

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.(Daniel 2:46-49)

Questions-Who was the King impressed with? Was it Daniel, God or both?-What did the King do with Daniel?

Application

Questions-Who is the provider of all our knowledge? -Even if you are the one who reads the books and goes to classes? Is God the provider of knowledge then? -Why is it important for us to acknowledge God is our provider of knowledge?-Next time you get a good grade in school or on a test, what should you do?